Contact: John Crosbie
For Release: Wednesday, September 6, 2000

State Board of Education Approves Charles T. Epps, Jr.
As New State District Superintendent for Jersey City Public Schoolsk

The State Board of Education has approved Dr. Charles T. Epps, Jr. as
the new State District Superintendent for the Jersey City Public Schools.
Epps, who has served as the districts Associate Superintendent for
Community and Support Services since 1998, was recommended to the board
by Commissioner David Hespe. The current superintendent, Dr. Richard A.
DiPatri, is leaving Jersey City to become Superintendent of Schools for
Brevard County in Florida.

Epps has dedicated his entire education career to the Jersey City School
District. Since joining the district as a teacher of grades six and seven
at the Whitney M. Young School in 1967, Epps has worked his way up through
the ranks of the district as a teacher, supervisor, principal of adult
evening programs, and director of funded programs.

"I am very proud to recommend to the Board that Dr. Charles Epps,
Jr. lead the Jersey City School District at this critical time,"
said Commissioner Hespe. "Dr. Epps is not only an outstanding educator,
but a man who has spent over three decades energizing the community to
improve both programs and student outcomes in the district."

Hespe commended the new Superintendent for his leadership in implementing
numerous outstanding programs over the past several years.

"Many of Jersey Citys record nine Best Practices awards
received from the Department of Education in the past two years have recognized
programs overseen or founded by Dr. Epps," said Hespe.

"Additionally, he has taken a leadership role in the districts
efforts to reduce the drop-out rate, which has fallen from a high of 14.6
percent to three straight years at 10 percent or lower," he added.

Hespe noted that Epps is also highly regarded in his role as Chairman
of the Hudson County Community College Board of Trustees.

"As chairman, Dr. Epps helped establish the Opportunity Knocks
scholarship program allowing graduating seniors in Jersey City to attend
Hudson County Community College tuition free," said the commissioner.

Epps has long been active in the community and serves on several advisory
boards, including the National Conference on Community and Justice, the
Hudson Cradle advisory board, the Hudson County Schools of Technology
advisory board, and the Jersey City welfare board. Last year, he was recognized
by both the NAACP (Outstanding Educator award) and the Urban League
(A Man for All Men award) for his contributions to Jersey City
and its public school system.

Epps education includes a B.A. in Education at Bishop College in Dallas,
Texas, followed by a Masters degree in Education from Seton Hall University
and a doctorate in education from Rutgers University.

Hespe stressed that Epps will provide strong leadership and stability
as the Jersey City School system continues its transition from being a
state-run district to local control.

"The department will continue to work closely with Dr. Epps, the
Jersey City Board of Education and the Jersey City schools to ensure that
progress continues on the strategic plan," added Hespe.

"I am very pleased that the Commissioner and the State Board of
Education are giving me this opportunity," said Epps. "I will
seek to be a role model for students, a source of renewed commitment for
the staff, and a catalyst for bringing all stakeholders into the educational
process. Through it all, I will provide an administration which leads
the district in effectuating a smooth and successful return to local control."